Three community organisations and Newham Libraries have secured funding to establish Newham’s first ever network of lending hub
- Residents will be able to hire items such as tools, carpet cleaners, lawn mowers, decorating equipment and more at low cost
- The hubs will help people save money, reduce waste and access equipment they only need occasionally
- The initiative is jointly funded by Newham Council and East London Waste Authority (ELWA) to support sharing, reuse and waste reduction
Residents across Newham will soon be able to hire everything from drills and lawn mowers to carpet cleaners and wallpaper steamers, thanks to a new community lending hub network being launched in the borough.
In a first for Newham, three local organisations have been selected to establish community lending hubs that will allow residents to borrow useful household items, DIY equipment and gardening tools instead of buying them. The initiative has been funded through a partnership between Newham Council and the East London Waste Authority (ELWA).
Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment, said: “Many of us have bought a tool for a single job and then left it sitting unused in a cupboard or shed for years. These new lending hubs offer a practical alternative, helping residents access the items they need without the cost of buying them."
"As households continue to feel financial pressure, this initiative will help people save money, reduce waste and make more sustainable choices. It's also a fantastic example of local organisations working together to support stronger, greener communities."
Following a competitive application process that attracted 11 bids from organisations across the borough. The successful organisations are:
- Newham Libraries
- Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA)
- One Newham in partnership with ReSpace
They will now work to establish community-run lending hubs that provide affordable access to a range of useful items, from DIY and decorating tools to gardening and household equipment.
Together, the lending hubs will provide borough-wide coverage, with services operating from Stratford, Canning Town, Forest Gate and Silvertown. Newham Libraries will further extend access through its network of libraries, enabling residents to collect and return items closer to home.
Items available to borrow are expected to include drills, jigsaws, sanders, lawn mowers, ladders, wheelbarrows, carpet cleaners, wallpaper steamers, gardening equipment and even event equipment. The hubs will also work with local communities to understand what additional items residents would find most useful.
Run locally with support from volunteers, the hubs are expected to operate for at least two years with 18 months of funding. It’s expected the schemes will become self-sustaining over this time through memberships and hire fees.
Further details, including locations, opening dates, membership information and the range of items available to borrow, will be announced in the coming months.
